Staff Spotlight on Dissertation Editor Jenny Martel

The Walden Writing Center welcomed Jenny Martel as an editor in October of last year. Jenny was kind enough to share a little about her teaching, writing, and editing experiences and philosophies with us on the blog. 

Jenny enjoys creative writing.

What were you doing professionally before you started at Walden?

For the past several years I’ve focused on my graduate work, writing fiction, and my family. To accommodate those priorities, I worked as a freelance writer and editor (as well as an occasional art curator). Prior to that, I spent eight years in New York City in organizational development/management consulting where I first became involved with writing, editing, and publishing books and articles.

I know you enjoy writing science fiction and fantasy. How does your own writing process inform how you work with students at Walden?

In many ways, writing a novel is a lot like writing a dissertation. The task seems insurmountable at first; simply committing to the project requires vision, experience, and education (either classroom or life experience—in the case of both the dissertator and the novelist). Then the project outline must be conceptualized through alternatively creative and linear developmental phases. There is also the shared propensity to procrastinate the actual writing part of writing! I empathize with these challenges and make experience-based suggestions to students in the developmental phases of their work that I hope are encouraging and useful.

From an editorial perspective, I try to bring an awareness of the possible angst and anxiety a student might have about having their work critiqued after a long, challenging journey. Having had my personal work critiqued and edited has been daunting at times (Believe me—if you don’t feel vulnerable when an intelligent colleague critiques a romantic scene in your fantasy novel, you’re not alive!).

What is the best writing advice you were ever given?  

“It doesn’t need to be perfect; it needs to be done.” I’ve found these words of wisdom to be useful in the case of a large-scale project. Unless you’re J.R.R. Tolkien or George R.R. Martin, each detail of the grandest concentrated effort of your professional life will not be rendered flawlessly. To achieve your goal requires a constant but intermittent refocusing on completion. 

 Tweetable tip: It doesn't need to be perfect; it needs to be done. 

Another piece of writing advice I use when I get stuck is to start with what is easy. I’m amazed at how often I forget this golden nugget, only to remember it in my darkest writing hours. Starting (and finishing) something that isn’t overwhelming can grant confidence, reacquaint you with your project, and create inertial force in the right direction.

 Tweetable tip: When you get stuck with your #writing, start with what is easy.

Could you talk about a particular writing challenge you have faced (with a project or a part of writing) and how you overcame that challenge?

I’ve found that rewriting and editing my own work is extremely challenging both from a motivational as well as a technical perspective. When I’m really overwhelmed, I seek out my academic and creative colleagues. We trade manuscript critiques and create deadlines. Writing can be isolating. Structure, forced accountability, and outside objectivity can really help.

What do you find enjoyable about teaching or editing writing?

On a personal level I feel incredibly lucky to be able to work with students in an area I love. 

What is one writing accessory you cannot live without?

Unlined paper. It helps me to conceptualize freely with bubbles, lines, or (really bad) drawings while creating dedicated boxes for more linear expression.

Describe your approach to writing in three words:

Precise

Simple

Clear

If you are a Walden doctoral student, you may work with Jenny at a residency or in the Form & Style review. We're glad to have her part of our team!

This month on the blog, we're spotlighting Walden students, staff, faculty, and alumni. Listen to our latest WriteCast episode to hear featured student questions. 

Ellen Zamarripa, a writing instructor in the Walden Writing Center, conducted this interview. 

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